Current knowledge of risks and benefits of prophylactic oophorectomy at hysterectomy for benign disease in United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

Objective: To estimate current practice of prophylactic oophorectomy at hysterectomy for benign disease and also define the role of the variables considered prior to making the decision of prophylactic oophorectomy among consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists in UK and Republic of Ireland. Design: A postal questionnaire was sent to all 1536 practising consultant gynaecologists in UK and Republic of Ireland. Methods and main outcomes measured: Of the 809 replies received, 21% of the respondents routinely performed prophylactic oophorectomy. There was a wide regional variation; 40% consultants in Wales considered prophylactic oophorectomy compared to 16% in the Northern and Yorkshire regions. Consultants with a special interest with a more surgical bias were more likely to consider performing prophylactic oophorectomy. The majority of respondents estimated that prophylactic oophorectomy would reduce risk of ovarian cancer by up to 5%, and that following hysterectomy and ovarian conservation there was an increased risk of premature menopause. Conclusion: There is a large variation and uncertainty in the practice of prophylactic oophorectomy in UK and Ireland. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.